Damon had called earlier to tell me that the representatives from London had arrived the previous day. As much as I didn't want to leave Amelia, I had to attend to them. So I left everything I felt she would need but to return home and find out she had gone to a book club with Laura.
After my meeting, I noticed there were a thousand and one messages and calls from Amelia and just one message from Trisha. It had been ages since she texted. Even while we were still married. I opened the message with so much anxiety. It read;
"Are you trying to taunt me? Is that why you let Laura bring your new doll along."
I tried getting a hold of Amelia but she didn't answer, then I texted Laura who replied that it was Amelia who begged her to bring her along. I should have set boundaries, I thought.
I grabbed my coat hanging and drove to the location I had forced out of Laura. And there they were, Amelia and Trisha, standing by the food table. I didn't know which part annoyed me more. Seeing them together, or the fact that she left the house without my permission, or that somewhere deep down, I was worried that something might have happened to her. Or, maybe, it was Trisha's message.
It was pouring heavily when I got to the house, and without a word to her, I dragged her out. The hem of her gown was caught by the rail as we went down the stairs but I didn't stop. I didn't even care. I dragged her either way, and the dress ripped off creating a high slit that ran to her waist.
I shoved her into the car and drove to my house this time around. On the way, she did not say a word. Did not try to justify herself or even defend herself. She just sat there, a little soaked. Ronnie let us out when we got to the house and I noticed her wrist I held earlier had turned red.
"Why did you leave?" I asked as soon as we got inside but she stood there without saying a word. "I'm asking you, Amelia."
"Don't make me repeat myself." My eyes darted to her exposed legs, they were bleeding. "Amelia," I said, my voice no lower than a whisper.
I moved to help her but she stepped back. "I tried to say no, but Laura insisted. I called and texted so many times but you didn't answer." Her eyes were already heavy and I could see her struggle not to cry. "I didn't know she was Trisha because she introduced herself as Hanna." The more she spoke, the more tears flowed down her face freely. Her mascara was on every part of her face.
"Does that answer your question, Mr. Erhart?" I felt worse than I did the day my daughter died. Her words pierced through the anger I felt and turned it into guilt. I shouldn't have done that.
I reached out to hold her and she pulled back again, this time though I caught her and dragged her to myself. She wiggled aggressively to break free, but my grip only got tighter. And when I finally let her go, she slammed her hand into my face. Then she hit my chest as she broke down. At some point, she fell into my arms and bit into my skin in an attempt to stop crying.
"I'm sorry." I kept saying. Suddenly, she sprawled up, wiping her eyes and sending her mascara everywhere.
"Have your driver drop me off at my place." She ordered.
I drew her back "It's not safe, Amelia."
She chuckled "As long as you stay away, it will be. Should I go myself? I don't mind either."
"You're not going anywhere." I insisted.
"Then get out. I don't want to be anywhere close to you." Her eyes were such as I had never seen before. Red with fury and yet, seemed to be in pain.
"Goodnight," I responded and left the house. Ronnie followed behind me with an umbrella. "Watch over her," I ordered and with that, I drove off to nowhere in particular.
I was headed somewhere. Trisha's place. Turned out that after his mum had cursed and sworn at me, she still lived at our old house which wasn't very far from the office. I got to the house in less than 30 minutes because the road was free. I had Ronnie inform them I was coming and the gates were already opened by the time I got there.
"Jesse," Trisha called out from the door. I tried to believe she didn't know I was coming but her outfit said otherwise. She wore a red lingerie that barely covered her breasts. And her hair was let down.
"I don't plan to stay long so I'd go straight to the point." I tried to stay focused.
"I'm cold." And you're wearing that "Can we go inside?" She still had a strong hold on me. I found myself following her inside. The house had not changed a bit since I left. Everything stayed in its place.
"Do you want tea?" She offered. "It's really cold outside."
"Not necessary." I tried to sound firm. "Did you tell Amelia your name is Hanna?" I went straight to what I believed brought me.
"Why would I?" She said so casually. Never keep two women by your side.
I didn't know which one was lying. Trisha didn't have a reason to, at least that's what I thought and Amelia wouldn't lie while crying, right?
"I miss you." Trisha spat out snapping me out of my thoughts. She pulled the robe she had on and dropped it.
"Don't do this." I was shocked at how weak I felt against her. I wanted her, no doubt but I didn't want to do it.
"Shhhhhhh..." She sat on my lap and spread her legs to the sides before she started kissing my neck and chest.
Our lips found each other and they locked. She tasted like peaches and this made me run my fingers through her hair, it turned me on, every sound, every kiss. I moaned,
"Amelia."